Same-sex marriage opponents appeal, advocates look to March 3

Attorneys for Stand4MarriageDC and the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal organization, today appealed a court order that upheld a D.C. Board of Elections ruling against a referendum on the issue.

Opponents want to give residents a chance to vote on the new law in a ballot measure before it takes effect.

"We are appealing because the District's marriage redefinition law shouldn't go into effect until voters have the opportunity to vote on a critical matter that affects everyone in the District," senior legal counsel Austin R. Nimocks said in a news release.

Meantime, same-sex marriage advocates are moving ahead. Council member David Catania, the bill's sponsor, has a countdown clock on his website to March 3, the anticipated first day when gay couples will be allowed to apply for licenses in the District.

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